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Thousands of Essex children offered preferred primary school place

20 April 2018

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More than 14,000 pupils who are due to start primary school in Essex for the first time from September have been offered their parents’ top preference of school.

About 16,000 parents in the county will discover the outcome of their primary school applications today (16 April), with those who applied online getting confirmation by email or via the Essex County Council website.

Despite significant growth of pupil numbers in parts of the county, the council’s continued investment in creating new school places means 88.13 per cent of pupils have been offered their parents’ first preference of school.

A further 7.12 per cent have been offered their second preference, meaning 95.25 per cent have been offered either their first or second preference.

In total, 98.22 per cent of pupils are being one of their parent’s preferred schools - representing the highest ever overall preferences met figure in Essex.

In February the council allocated a further £87million for creating new mainstream school places in the county as part of its ambitious new budget.

Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “We remain committed to ensuring young people in Essex receive the best possible education and I am delighted we have again been able to offer the vast majority of children their preferred place this year.

“The achievement is testimony to our strong track record of investing in new school places, as well as the hard work of admissions staff, schools and those involved in planning expansions.

“With about 94 per cent of the county’s primary schools currently rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted, compared with a national average of 90 per cent, there is certainly plenty of encouraging news for parents, pupils and schools in Essex.”